How to get a BARBIE BOTOX forehead in Brentwood + Why does Barbie on demand cost more than movie theaters?

Here's a cheaper way to watch movies!

I’ve been dying for the Barbie movie to come to streaming and video on demand as I finally just rearranged my place to be more TV and ‘entertainment friendly.’

Photo mashup Jerri Howell + Warner Bros Image

TMI, but I originally launched this Substack to fold in more lifestyle and home stories, so I’ll integrate a little into this post. A while back, I fell in love with this chair at CB2, but it’s $499.

I knew it was going to go on sale eventually (it does every so often) and planned to wait it out, but found it on Facebook Marketplace from some kind of fashion showroom. When I was loading it into my car, the owner asked if I also wanted the desk. It was hella enormous, but I've been dying for a white desk like this (for a larger future space, though) and just had to say yes.

I had spent so much money buying and testing four of the wrong tables or desks, only to put them on the curb or list them on FB’s “Buy Nothing” group (where they are rehomed within 2 hours). Why not finally treat myself to the right desk for a couple hundred bucks? Or at any reasonable cost, really? I would’ve gladly paid retail for this, but CB2 was no longer selling this model. I forgot how much I paid for both, but got all for less than the retail price of that chair.

My CB2 desk and chair in the original owner’s office

The point is, I had the giant desk in front of my couch forever (such bad feng shui) and finally jenga’d my place to move my couch forward and put the desk behind it - and it’s magical. Now, when I’m on my couch, it feels more like a home theater and I love it.

Somehow, it was what I needed to give myself permission to watch actively vs passively and now I don’t hear my mother in my head, guilting me into being more productive vs sitting still (which all makes sense based on her Tokyo childhood.)

© 2023 Jerri Howell. Please contact me for licensing rights.

I spotted this sign in Brentwood as I was searching for a local Blue Bottle. Hilarious. Barbie’s social currency is the gift that keeps on giving. This is not far from Gwyneth Paltrow’s shop GOOP in the Brentwood Country Mart, so you know it’s a high end area. BTW, want to see a past photo from GOOP?

© Jerri Howell - Please contact me for licensing rights.

Yes, I document everything 24/7 but love when I remember I have something relevant at my fingertips, even if it takes a little (or a lot) of scrolling to find it.

If you do make it to this shabby chic style shopping area, order the fried pickles or milkshakes from Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers.

Photo by Sandra Gabriel on Unsplash

Barbie on Demand Pricing

Back on to Barbie: As mentioned, I was dying to watch the Barbie movie from the comfort of my own home, but it didn’t make sense that the video on demand / streaming prices were higher than having the theatrical experience.

• Amazon Prime and Apple TV are $24.99 to watch or $29.99 to own

So, I went to AMC in Century City, where the movie was $20.68 ($18.49 + a $2.19 convenience fee for pushing the buttons, as purchasing from humans doesn’t seem to be an option there?)

Instead, for $24.95, I signed up to become a Stubs A-list member, where I can allegedly watch 3 movies per week, every week? I was originally skeptical to join because it seemed too good to be true. Plus, I was an early adopter of the ill fated Movie Pass (that just launched a comeback), so I still flinch.

Also to note, I love movie popcorn and FYI - AMC just reduced their small size (by a third, it seems?) and I believe they also increased the price? I have to double check my bank statements, so don’t quote me, yet. I can comprehend doing one or the other, but both during a recession seems counterintuitive. They’ve already cut costs by reducing ticketing staff.

Barbie is going XL! Greta Gerwig is adding new footage for the IMAX limited one week run, beginning September 22.

Now that I have a membership, I may see it - again - on IMAX. I’ve been wanting to see more cinema and having a pass will be good motivation. I’m craving horizontal screens and cinematic experiences lately, enticing me back to my exploratory roots.

Tomorrow’s Sunday Snack Size Volume 3 will feature visual snacks — and a few fun finds I’ve spotted around LA over the last couple weeks. Thank you and welcome to new readers. Volume 1 and Volume 2 started here.

I always tell my sisters and friends to try to do something inspiring on the daily and am finally heading out to look for today’s fix. I’m curious what everyone else does for their daily dose.